Day 44: Did a wither tracing today.

Ron helped me bend a wire over Amocean and Ike for a saddle to be fitted. (Australian) Amocean is 14.3 71" heart girth and Ike is 13.1 and 62.5" I'll see what options I have in a saddle I can ultimately use on either mount. Also put a pipe (elevated about a foot from the ground ) in paddock today for Ike to step over/ step sideways over. I only had him step over it today. I'll try doing more with it tomorrow.


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Day 43: I have the smartest pony in the world!

Played with Ike outside (haha) and at first he got excited when I went out like "my food!", so I just stood in one spot and didnt give him anything until he settled down and just stood. He side passed away from me and towards me, (no lines) soooo awesome! Also worked on him keeping my pace and slowing him before he passed me up. Pushed his hind quarters over on the side opposite of where I was standing to put him in the stance I want him where he's ready to walk with me. Also introduced him to 3 new things today!
1. Move your head away while feet don't move
2. Move your head towards me while your feet don't move
And 3. Turn all the way around away from me and turn to face me.

Had no idea that would be on our day today, so stoked that he's picking things up so well. Absolutely amazed at how well he grasps things and retains them. I love that pony. :)


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Day 42: learning sideways towards me

Man, the days are flying by now. Today, I was so happy the sun was out. I decided I would try again to teach Ike, sideways to me. (Really I'm just asking his hind end to step to me right now) then, I'll ask for his front, and then work on him moving them together. He's much better when I'm asking him step towards me and I'm standing on his right side. On his left side..he's more hesitant to step my direction. (This is laterally/sideways) I tied a rope around his belly and after tapping him to ask him step towards me, I pulled the rope, when he took a step, I released the pressure. I ended it on a good note as I recently read something that said to avoid asking for "just one more time" when your horse has done something well. End on a good note. Proud to say, I heeded that advice. In walking, he wants to pass me up so I'm stopping and making sure he comes back to my side before continuing. I don't want his mind ahead of what I'm asking him. He's really a brilliant little pony. As much as I'd love to ride him, the ground stuff is really fun. I'm glad there are people (myself included) who believe building the bond comes from the ground. I hope he's an amazing partner. I need to work on him recognizing gait, maintaining it, and STANDING!


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Day 41: introducing step sideways to me

He's not yet grasping it. Phooey. :) everything else he's doing nicely with.

Pictures are of my baby as a younger baby.:p

Day 40: My pony rocks. :)

Played with Ike before mucking today. He did incredibly well. I even had him step sideways for the first time without using a fence. The coolest thing happened. In asking for him to move over he started to walk forward so I blocked him with an arm in front of him (not touching him) and one asking his shoulder over ...he actually stopped as moved just his front end. It sounds like a ridiculously small thing, but I was sooo stoked I laughed out loud. It was just awesome that he understood. :) super beautiful day.


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Day 39: VIDEO!!!

http://youtu.be/-DSEE8TyGxc


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Day 38: lots of good things

Played with Ike as usual. Best side stepping he's done at liberty. Did a little more asking for just his fore quarters to move. Great at backing and disengaging, being sent really well. Great draw. Has a lot of positive things going for him. I emailed Echo asking for advice in my problem areas which Ive disclosed in previous posts. I shall see what she says. She's extremely gifted in her responses. This will be the first email I've gotten back about addressing anything with Ike. I've spoken with her about Amocean in striving for bridleless riding with him. He rides bitless/bareback no problem. :)


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Day 37: tricks with no treats

Went out to play with Ike this morning and got a call from the groom I was doing and headed out a little early. Fed the ponies and left. Ended up getting ticketed.:( when I got back, I went to play with Ike rewards being release of pressure.


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Day 36: Thanksgiving

Played with Ike this morning and he did really well. Recorded a lot, but on Ron's phone not on my video editing app, so deleted it. I'll record a video soon of what all he's doing. :) did ball, weaving, standing by hung tarp, going around trees, bowing, tying for feet, liberty work squeeze and drive. :p night.


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Day 35: YESTERDAY Grrrr.

This blog gets typed in and doesn't post what I write! Did the normal stuff with Ike. Poop on it not being saved!
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Day 34: Colin came back out.

Mucked, tied Ike and cleaned both horses feet. Watched both horses get trimmed. So amazed at what a great job is done with them by Colin. Ike was SO MUCH better than last time but still really tried taking that back right foot. Colin didn't let him have it, and Ike settled about it so Colin put it down on his terms. Back to working with him more as of tomorrow. Maybe, I should clean them twice a day. Def need to tie to get him not pawing. OH, and his stomping/pawing when asked to bow. The solution came to me last night. (Or a solution/reason) I need a loop on his leg to apply pressure if he paws and remove it when he stops. Duh!! I had a few people recommend hobbles and those would essentially give him a release when he stood. Anyhow, I'll pick up on his training again tomorrow. He's still incredibly fun and def. humbling. :) I think we're accomplishing a lot in the little time we've spent together. :)
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Day 33: my meanie baby.

Ike is doing beautifully with everything he's asked. He can weave poles, be sent around trees, will walk either direction in a very sloppy circle around me at liberty. Stepping sideways both directions. Just really trying everything. He's pawing and not standing so I'm going to be working on him standing more than anything else without treating him. The hardest part about this is wanting him as a partner and trying to be soft with him while needing him to be respectful and accepting human leadership so being firm enough not to let him get away with things that he shouldn't be allowed to do. It's a balance I struggle with. I try not to be frustrated as I know horses are extremely keen to read our emotions and I want him making effort to progress. I look for rewarding the little things and trying to stay positive and keep sessions short and end on good notes and not micro manage him. I try to remember I can learn from him and I have to listen to carry a conversation instead of do all the talking. If I want him to see me as a friend, I have to be one. His feet get done tomorrow. Hoping he does really well. I mean REALLY hoping every day of handling his feet this past month means there's a noticeable difference in how he is. (In a good way)


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Day 32: 2 day countdown!

Went outside and said hello to everyone.  This is Zach's (9 years old) second day of staying with us as he's on Thanksgiving Vacation and he went out in the cold with me to muck.  He claims to love "training" horses. (super cute)  After cleaning the ground up, I haltered Ike and led him a bit, tied him and walked away to clean Amocean's feet. I let Zach spray his feet after I pick them with apple cider vinegar.  Then I walked to Ike and asked for each foot to clean them. He's doing so much better at attempting to lift the foot and hold it for a hand to catch it in air.  If he doesn't offer it to me when I say "foot", I tap the heel of the foot I want and he shifts weight off of it.  I lift it from there and reward him making it easy to get the foot I want.  Any effort is good in my book for now.  After that, I asked him to weave poles (actually t posts which need fencing on them) and bow.  He's stepping out when I ask this, so I'm going to start asking him to move laterally away if he steps out instead of tucking his foot under himself.  Asked him to back, smile, bow, play with the ball.  Lots of what he was asked is without halter and leadrope so its essential I cue him with my body language as I have nothing physically tying him to me that restricts his movement.  He's super fun to work with.  I so hope when I can ride him, he's as solid if not more so than Amocean.  Tuesday Colin comes back out to trim feet, so I'm REALLY hoping he sees/feels the difference in Ike's acceptance of feet handling.

On another note... An individual who had me find a horse for her is asking for my assistance finding another mount for her.  I think her asking for my help again is the best compliment she could give me.  I have a couple I offered to go look at for her, so I'll see what she says.  

Day 31: :)

Spent all day with the ponies. Played guitar outside. Colin comes on Tuesday, so I'm super proud of Ike giving his feet so nicely. Also, really working on communicating without any head/body restraint. If he's free, I have the best communication since he's free to do as he wises. Weaving beautifully. Backing nicely. Giving feet so nicely. Doing a lot really great. Tying much more quietly. Still very pushy with the little guys. Sooooo sleepy. Night.


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Day 30: awwww. :/

Such a long Long day. I only fed everyone and picked up more hay with Ron. Left earlier than normal for grooms and stayed gone the whole work day. When I got home, Ron took me to see the new twilight movie. (Super pretty) I'll play with the ponies tomorrow no doubt! I hope they missed me. :p


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Day 29: Ike had the day off

Other than being fed and petted, I didn't play with ponies today. Ron and I took some things we aren't using and swapped them out for some things we wanted including the king size bed we had in storage. Just now finished and have a super early start in the morning. Re-organized the room. Set up is much more open. Anyhow, not horse related, so..good night!


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Day 28:YESTERDAY no work

Today I mucked as usual, fed everyone and sat on the laptop while everyone chowed down. I played ball with Ike briefly by rolling it to him and he kicked it back. That was a first. Also hopped the fence to lay with him when I saw him laying down mid-day. Straddled him while he laid so he's not fearful of me in a sitting position on his back. (Not putting all my weight on him) He's Sooooo adorable. I can't wait till I can do more with him. For the time being, I'm glad I have lots I can strengthen in preparation for riding. :)
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Day 27: Ike ate under the tarp

To further desensitize Ike to hung tarp, I put part of their breakfast beneath the tarp as it blew in the wind. We did everything without any restraints today. Obviously, I can't ask for as much as I can when I have him in a halter bc he can walk off at any given time. One really cool thing I learned though is if you set a horse free and you're around him enough for him to understand your part of his world, he'll make the choice by himself to come back to you. I think that's the most amazing thing. In the past when a horse walked away, I would have him move more so that he'd want to be with me, because sharing my space meant less work and more comfort. Now though, I can let him walk off and even laugh at it, because sure enough, he turns around on his terms and its his decision that I'm where he wants to be. I love that.




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Day 26: Fixing Ike's idea that the cue for smile means rear.

Today was chilly outside, but the sun was shining and I'm grateful for that.  I said hello to everyone before haltering Ike and asking him to stand.  I took a few steps away and backed him up if he took any steps from his place.  When he stood still with me a couple of steps away, I led him, stopped, backed, and then put two long lines attached to either side of his halter (yacht rope leads) behind him and clucked asking him to  walk on.  I steered him to the left and the right, and asked him to whoa. ( I back him up if he moves out past where I ask him to whoa)  He's not super clean in his movement yet, but for being brand new, he's doing great.  After doing that about 7-10 minutes, I faced him and asked him to smile.  He responded by lifting his head in the air and I held my finger up because I wanted him to lift his lip.  This is the second day he actually raised both front feet up in the air in a little rear.  I quickly backed him up and asked again and if he didn't lift his lip but held his head in the air.. I knew what could easily follow so I backed him before he came off his front feet.  By the end of our session, I could back up or have him back up and ask for him to expose teeth without coming off his front feet or moving closer.  I did use a pocket full of grain JUST for rewarding the smile. I didn't use grain for anything else.  He gave all four feet when tied again today.  I much prefer warmer weather to be outside in.  Anyhow, I'll play with him again later.  :)
In looking for natural training steps, I came across this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQUMAJCh1fA&feature=related
I found it inspiring even though I'm already for natural horsemanship and bitless riding.  After nearly completing it, I decided I wanted to do even more work at liberty. Much of my time is already spent with them being asked to do things without halter and lead rope.  I will spend more time not asking for anything and simply enjoying the amazing animals that they are. At the same time, I recognize that I have to repeat things for them to gain a better understanding of whats being asked and to make progress.  I went out and danced in the paddock, really I just swirled around and replicated the dancing in the video because it felt good to watch and good to do.  It was funny how weirded out Ike was, but the movement never scared him and he was in my space fairly quickly doing the dance I happily led.  Amocean came over too, curious what was going on.  They're both incredible horses. I spent some time asking Ike to bow, stretch, offer his feet, touch the ball we got (we use an exercise ball in place of the large parelli ball), smile, step up, squeeze, and step sideways away on both sides.   Ron helped me hang 2 pieces of tarp in a tree for me to desensitize him to walking through that too. :)  awesome! The more he's comfortable with, the better off I'll be when I have the privilege of riding him.

Ike's 1st pass through hung tarp:



Quiet down little man. :)


That's better.

Short Video Ron made for me

Ike and Joni

Day 25: Ike is intended to be a life-long bitless partner.

It was a nasty wet morning outside today. Everyone came and said hi when I walked out. I said hello to Ike first as he was the first one to approach even though Amocean verbally greeted me first. I put a halter on him, asked for each foot and cleaned it out. Walked him, asked him to "STAND" and petted him for doing so. Asked him "over" a rolled fence section, "step up" on the pedestal, "stretch" to park out (only get that manually) and then released him to feed. He wasn't pushy, and that was our morning. I've made a decision I know isn't typical, but I'm going to train him bitless. He doesn't need to wear a bit. I'd rather him listen to what I'm saying without metal in his mouth doing the talking. So, hopefully he does beautifully with that because I know its not common-place at all. Keeping the relationship first. :) Anyway, he's doing really great and I'm excited that he knows so much so early on. :) In 4 months he'll be 3. So.... September he'll be 3.5 and I'll have had him a whopping 11 months! Ooooo-baby!!! Wonder what he'll know then! :)


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Day 24: Ike's baby rear. Ooops!

Today I climbed up on the pedestal to ask Ike to smile and when I lifted a single finger as his cue to smile....he took it as a request for him to pick his front end up. He only came up like 3-4 inches, even so... I won't be asking that way any more! Also, I've decided not to use food rewards for the time being as he gets too excited. He isn't pushy with me, but he runs the other horses off. I like him being calm about what's being asked. Did some ground driving today. (Not very well, but we'll get there) he was calm about it all. Anyhow, tied, lifted feet, cleaned them out, introduced a ball to him today. Bounced it, rolled it by him, bounced it off him, rolled it under him, had him touch it. Oh!!!! Also, when I took the surcingle off him. I had it on the floor with the long reins and we walked away. Several minutes later, he walked back and it was on the ground in his path to the water, he side stepped and refused approaching as he snorted and eyed the horrendous intrusion in his usually peaceful paddock. I watched him from behind for less than 15 seconds before walking right past him and stepping on/through the leather pile. He decided if it didn't hurt me, it was safe for him, and did exactly what I did. That was really cute. Anyhow, it was a really windy morning, and not a fun one to play in. Tomorrow will be nice as well, but after that, colder days will follow.


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Day 23: Got a full on park out! Kind of! :P

Went out and began mucking with my new (not really new, just recently emptied and available for me to use) gorilla wagon. It makes mucking SO much easier. Anyhow, glad that Ike was still following me with the strange thing I had in tow. Sent him places, picked up all his feet, cleaned out the water bucket and he drank while the loud auto filling was being done. Sent him both directions on line and had him disengage and back up. I'm now saying foot for the foot I'm standing at and he shifts the weight off of it and offers it. Sooo cool! Today he had his feet in a casual relaxed position and I asked for his front left one and stretched it out. I petted him, walked around, petted him again and then asked for his front right foot. So, he did a manual park out! He didn't place his feet that way, but he let me, and then held that position. :) If my phone hasn't been dead, I would have gotten a picture. YAY Ike! :)


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Day 22: Ike did a one sided baby parked out!

Hahaha. Today I went out and began playing with Ike. Amocean gets interested and a couple of times now including today if Ike gets pushy or wants to crowd out everyone else-I simply halter and tie him. One-it teaches him he won't be rewarded for that. 2, it takes him away from what he thinks is fun(yay!-doing awesome there) and 3-it lets him work on standing patiently. (Big work and very necessary for any horse to know and do) anyhow, thanks to Ron's perfect timing I got Amocean to stand with all 4 feet up on the pedestal today! Twice! First day I had both his back feet on it while his front was grounded as well. Ike was untied, led, backed, asked to step up, asked to move over and out and disengage from both sides. Cleaned his feet out while he was tied in preparation for his next hoof trim. Want him well behaved for people handling his feet. He's giving them so readily now. Most awesome part of the day was pulling his back feet backwards and petting the leg in that stretched position. Then I did the front one on his left side and for a brief 3-5 seconds he held that stretch on his left side. Hahahaha. I was thrilled with that! Super, super awesome. :) I'm so in love with that little pony.


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Day 21: YESTERDAY-nothing new

Went through a lot of our material and didn't do anything new. Tied Ike and let him settle before playing with him. Did a lot of liberty move this way and that. (Around trees, weaving poles, stepping up on the pedestal, smiling) he's doing wonderfully approaching and staying interested.


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Day 20: Using treats to reward marked behaviours!

So, I finally got a form of treats that will last a little longer. (And the horses will stay interested in) welcome using feed. :) I won't over-do anything on a daily basis. Ike was beyond excited to the point I had to make sure he was quiet about getting treated. He came and interrupted Amocean being asked to get on the pedestal. He kept stepping on like "I'll do it", and reaching his head for a reward (which he didn't get) I'm not giving him treats for tricks I'm not asking him for. (Though I do find it funny, and cute) Anyway, I tied him while I dropped hay and waited for him to stop being fidgety. Once he did, I untied him, walked him around and did some pedestal as I'm trying to ask for all 4 feet since he has the front down so well. He's trying. He just wants to move those front ones when he moves the back ones forward. Ron watched Ike and Amocean both do tricks. (Ike is soooo food motivated) he tries to give you the world for a pinch of grain. Lol. He's doing so great at disengaging his rear end. He still does not like circles. I don't push him to do them fast (just walking for the most part. no loping and very little trotting if any when circles are done-which isn't daily) we did quite a bit today, and he still would have done more but I really like leaving when he's still interested so its on a good note. Super smart pony.


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Day 19: YESTERDAY-long day & no play.

I got up at 6:45, left my house to be in Farmersville by 9 (hour and 7 minute drive) this was the second time I was seeing the same horse being hauled for a pre-purchase exam. Other than slightly developed arthritis in the hocks, the exam went really well. Horse was incredibly patient. We ended up heading out late and getting back to her house around 4. That means I drove another hour to get to one of 2 grooms as the other rescheduled to tomorrow morning. Groomed a long hair chihuahua and got home after 8 pm. It was cold. I was cramping. I hadn't had a single meal all day. Poor Ike had nothing more than a hello and his meals today. I'm sure he didn't mind not having to work too much. :)


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Day 18: My pony is steppin' :)

Still haven't got any edible rewards, so I just asked him to tie, pick up his feet, walk with me, step in the pool, over a log, over rolled fencing, up on the pedestal. Move his front and back end away from pressure. He's so incredibly awesome. :)

Hahaha. I found a bag of baby carrots! :) we stepped up on the pedestal at liberty! (Just front feet) he's dragging the back ones.. So I'll work on all 4 soon. Giving front left foot beautifully. I've worked on that one the most. Giving all 4 feet for cleaning. Not pulling nearly as much. Back right foot has been the most difficult. He went and put his front feet on the pedestal by himself. (No encouragement) :D I'm doing something right for him to think its a good thing to do. Lol.
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Day 17: YESTERDAY -nothing new

Didn't do anything out of the ordinary. Typical day. More movement requests than anything and not a lot as I didn't have any treats to reward tricks. I don't rely on them, but I like making the training as fun/enjoyable as I can.


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Day 16: 1st time ground driving!

First I just put him in a surcingle and halter and let him walk at liberty(no lead rope) he went everywhere I did doing tricks for carrot bits. Then I ran the long reins to his halter , clucked, and tapped his butt to walk on. Didn't try to steer at all, just clucked and tapped till he went. When I said whoa, I pulled back. He stopped and I dropped the reins, went and un-tacked him and set him free. Job well done! :)

Also, when Ron got home, we finished building the pedestal, so he was introduced to that. Awesome!!!!!!!!!! Since I've been asking him to step in the kiddie pool, this took all of 3 minutes to get. Love my smart baby!


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Day 15: Ron is helping me build a pedestal!

Sooo cool. Today we did the usual things. Ike did SO good approaching several times while I cleaned up. Picked all his feet, brushed him, brushed his mane and tail, had him smile from Amocean's back. Ron is helping me build a pedestal to ask him to get on, front/back, move hindquarters with his front end elevated, get him used to stepping up, give him a place to plant his feet to work on tricks where I don't want his feet moving. Its gonna be awesome! :D.

Anyway, nothing new introduced outside of the fact I hadn't brushed his tail out prior to today.


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